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Collaboration in the Workplace: Is it possible?

We often get and give mixed messages in the workplace about collaboration and
competition. In America, we take pride in our competitive approach to the
marketplace. Competition often helps deliver better products to the consumer
at lower prices. At the same time, we all know that competition is often not
good within an organization. So, we encourage collaboration whenever
possible. How can a collaborative environment be developed within an
organization? Is it even possible?

As I work with organizations there is a great deal of talk about collaboration
between employees and/or departments, but typically very little occurs. Why
is that? First we have to define collaboration and the conditions under which
it is most likely to occur. Two or more people are collaborating when each
person is working to advance the interests and meet the needs of all parties
involved. For example, collaborative bargaining between labor and management
means that both sides are trying to enhance the position/conditions of the
other side and the organization. Rarely does this occur. Typically, each
side is looking out for their own needs at the expense of the other party.
This is competition, not collaboration.

So, how do we get more collaboration in the workplace? To do so, we need to
understand the necessary conditions that will result in collaboration
occurring. First, collaboration is not easy. It takes a great deal of effort
and energy from all people involved. Simply put, collaboration is hard work.
Because collaboration is difficult, it may not be the best approach in all
situations. Second, for collaboration to occur, all people have to be
committed to advancing the needs and interests of the other people. They have
to set aside their own needs to advance the needs of others. This may not be
possible in all cases.

There are two conditions that are necessary for collaboration. First,
collaboration can only be expected when efforts are focused on clear, high-
stakes issues. We cannot expect people to collaborate on trivial matters.
Collaboration takes too much time and energy to be used on simple decisions.
If people are told to collaborate on simple issues, they will quickly become
frustrated. This often happens when a task force or committee is organized to
address a simple matter. Group members quickly believe that they are wasting
their time and frustration results.

The second condition necessary for collaboration is the existence of good
interpersonal relations between the people collaborating. For collaboration
to occur, people must feel comfortable with each other. They must be able to
work closely together and trust each other. This level of trust only comes
with good interpersonal relations among the parties. Good relationships take
time to develop. Using the Management-Labor example mentioned above, one
couldn't expect collaboration when there is a history of distrust. Trust must
be established first, then collaboration is possible. If there is a poor
relationship and no trust, people will quickly revert to a competitive, self-
serving approach to any problem.